Hora Family to Receive September Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award

09-16-2013 in Good Farm Neighbor

West Des Moines, Iowa – September 16, 2013 – The Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers (CSIF) commends the Kurt and Heather Hora family of Washington County for their outstanding efforts as a neighbors and community leaders. They have been named the September recipients of the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor award. Iowa Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig will present the award to the Hora family on Friday, Sept. 20 at the family’s farm located at 2509 200th St., Washington.

“Iowa farm families go to great lengths every day to provide the best possible care for their animals and the environment, while still being good neighbors and active community members,” CSIF Executive Director Brian Waddingham said. “This award is a great way to recognize people like the Horas who represent who we would all like to have as a neighbor.”

The “Big Show,” which airs on both WHO and WMT radio, will broadcast live from the presentation from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The Wergin Good Farm Neighbor award, made possible through the financial support of CSIF, recognizes Iowa livestock farmers who take pride in doing things right. This includes caring for the environment and their livestock and being good neighbors. It is named in memory of Gary Wergin, a long-time WHO Radio farm broadcaster who helped create the award. For more information, visit www.supportfarmers.com/goodneighbor.

The full release from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is below:

Contact: Dustin Vande Hoef, 515/281-3375 or 515/326-1616

DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today announced that the Kurt and Heather Hora family, who raise hogs in Washington County, have been named the September winners of the “Gary Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award.”

Iowa Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig will present the award to the Hora family on Friday, Sept. 20 at the family’s farm located at 2509 200th St., Washington. The “Big Show,” which airs on both WHO and WMT radio, will broadcast live from the presentation from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Sept. 20th.

“Kurt and Heather are great farmers who care for their land and their animals and who are also active on the local, state and national level to help support Iowa’s agriculture industry,” Northey said. “It is great to be able to recognize another young family that is raising livestock and doing things right on their farm.”

The Hora family raises corn and soybeans and has a wean-to-finish hog operation. Kurt and Heather have three children, Presley, Elizabeth and John.

In addition to their work on the farm, both Kurt and Heather are active in local and statewide organizations. Locally they are involved with 4-H and county extension as well as the Washington County Pork Producers. Kurt has been very active with in the Iowa Corn Growers Association and currently serves on the board of directors and Heather serves on the board of the Iowa Pork Producers Association.

They also regularly welcome visitors, media and foreign guests to the farm to help educate and showcase Iowa agriculture.

They were nominated for the award by Mindy Williamson from the Iowa Corn Growers Association.

The Wergin Good Farm Neighbor award, made possible through the financial support of the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers, recognizes Iowa livestock farmers who take pride in doing things right. This includes caring for the environment and their livestock and being good neighbors. It is named in memory of Gary Wergin, a long-time WHO Radio farm broadcaster who helped create the award.

Anyone interested in nominating their neighbor for the award should write a letter or e-mail explaining why their neighbor should receive this designation. Applications may be submitted to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Attn: Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award, Henry A. Wallace Building, Des Moines, IA 50319 or emailed to Communications@IowaAgriculture.gov.

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